The days are cold, snow covers the landscape, and the light has changed, coming in at different angles and illuminating old favorites in a new way. It's ok to slow down one's pace, linger with coffee a bit longer, have lunch with a friend, work on no-pressure projects or explore new ideas in your work.
I have been playing at my machine and trying new techniques for fun on these long bright afternoons where it is good to be cozy and warm in my upstairs room, music playing, machine on and back in action. I have re-discovered feed dogs, thick lustrous embroidery threads, and programmed stitches!
Years ago I included some broderie perse on one of my quilts, October Morning, a Delectable Mountains pattern with a good central spot that cried out for this vintage technique. I vaguely remember learning how to use my machine, digging out the right foot, adjusting the stitch and tension to get the look I wanted for the fused raw edge applique, and enjoying it very much.
"October Morning" 1999
Now I wanted to try something more modern so I have been using ancient fusible web that was still where I left it in 1999 and watching my needle zig where I wanted it to zag, and saying "oh no!" out loud. Ah, the joys of trying to figure it all out.
I winged it at first (how does fusible web work???), then consulted my personal quilt book library and read how various authors recommend doing this. I have lots of info now from art quilts to very traditional formal work, and hope to try some new things tomorrow. I have enjoyed rediscovering how to do this and who knows where it may lead. Broderie Perse? Coneflowers? Tiny circles? One thing I know is I must buy some fresh fusible web before doing anything more.
Meanwhile, my bit of advice is if you never try something you will never really for sure know if you do like it or not, if you can do it or not, if it has some promise for wiling away an afternoon or two......and to include it in a future quilt, or not.
Hope you had a chocolate or flower-filled Valentine's Day.....and I have so loved hearing from so many of you in comments or emails. It's good to be back.
Keep quilting, your work gets better every day,
Diane
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